Las Vegas Raiders position battle updates after OTAs, minicamp
Las Vegas Raiders position battle updates after OTAs, minicamp
With the Las Vegas Raiders having completed organized team activities and mandatory minicamp in recent weeks, it's time to take a look at the team's most notable position battles ahead of training camp.
Before training camp, the Raiders will get a month-plus break before reconvening in late July. Head coach Antonio Pierce made it very clear that he expects his players to be ready, which is always a concern at this point of the offseason.
"We're not going backwards," Pierce said, according to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com. "It is on you to come here and the physical shape is on you, to be ready mentally and emotionally... We're going with the guys that put in the time and commitment to do what we want to do over the next six months. And that's just to do one thing and one thing only and that is win, and I want winners.
"Winners never stop working. You can decompress but I didn't say you can stop working. So, we've got to find a way of that, and I just told them when they come back, kick in the front door and let's get this bad boy rolling."
After the events of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, here's a look at where things stand when it comes to the Raiders' most notable position battles.
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell struggled during the offseason program and neither established themselves as the clear-cut favorite to win the job going into training camp.
There wasn't even an advantage in first-team reps at minicamp, with Minshew getting more on Day 1 and O'Connell getting the majority on Day 2.
When it comes to the struggles, it's at least a bit concerning. But it's important to remember that these signal-callers are learning a new offense, and are doing so against what will be a very good defense. It's too early to push the panic button.
Wide receiver (No. 3)
Tre Tucker was named as one of two players to make a big leap this offseason by head coach Antonio Pierce, with the other being Jakobi Meyers.
Tucker stood out on multiple occasions during spring practices, but the same cannot be said for Jalen Guyton and Michael Gallup, both of whom are vying for the No. 3 receiver role against Tucker. Right now, the second-year wideout looks to be the favorite, but the job remains up for grabs going into training camp.
Left guard
With the Raiders moving Dylan Parham to right guard, the only spot left to be settled along the offensive line is at left guard, where rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson has been expected to be the starter.
However, JPJ missed significant practice time this spring due to a shoulder injury and veteran Cody Whitehair has gotten the first-team reps in his stead. Powers-Johnson did finally return to practice during minicamp, but he was limited.
It remains to be seen how much the missed practice time will impact JPJ going into training camp, but the lack of offseason reps cracks the door for someone else to grab that job.
On top of Whitehair, the Raiders also have Andrus Peat, who has spent the vast majority of his career at left guard. Peat worked at left tackle with Kolton Miller sidelined with his own shoulder injury.
Right tackle
It's not even worth calling this a competition anymore, as Thayer Munford Jr. is in complete control of the job following a spring in which he received positive reviews for his work.
Whether or not he can up his level of play to keep the job all season remains to be seen, but he's going to be the starter at right tackle in Week 1. Rookie DJ Glaze is someone to keep an eye on in training camp, as he'll look to earn the right to be Munford's replacement if he gets injured or struggles.
Cornerback (No. 2)
The information has been sparse on fourth-round rookie cornerback Decamerion Richardson, so he doesn't appear to be in the mix for the job opposite Jack Jones.
Knowing that, the battle is really between second-year corner Jakorian Bennett and veteran Brandon Facyson. However, Bennett appeared to pull ahead in minicamp after notching interceptions on back-to-back days. He should be considered the favorite going into training camp.